Dr. Russell Jones
The area North Glasgow (Possilpark, Lambhill, Milton) History of decline Low educational attainments and high unemployment Multiple health challenges High levels of deprivation, mortality and morbidity Flood disadvantage average to acute
The Project GCPH, GCC, Sniffer, greenspace scotland Scoping Logic Model WP1 Community engagement WP2 Institutional engagement WP3 Community and institutional collaboration Action research (throughout)
Why climate resilience? WHO describes climate change as greatest threat to human health of the 21 st century People living in poverty at greatest risk of effects
Resilience The capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems to survive, adapt and grow no matter what kind of acute shocks and chronic stresses they experience. Climate change acts as a stress multiplier.
Scoping Agree geographical focus Understand socio-economic, health and environmental characteristics of area Identify organisational ambitions, planned activity and available funding Identify existing and emerging plans Connect with local groups and existing networks
Logic Model Identify pathways of influence for climate resilience Included pathways for: Individual capacity Community capacity Organisational capacity Urban regeneration Agreed approach based on scoping and LM
Community engagement Two components Pop-up consultations with local residents Discussions with local community organisations - identified shared aspirations and opportunities for collaboration
Local residents Climate change not an immediate priority Priorities for action: employment, opportunities for young people, environmental conditions, local facilities, transport, food options Years of disinvestment relationship between local people and statutory organisations is strained Strong sense of belonging, but territorialism prevents movement Belief that climate change is happening, but Powerless to do anything you just need to get on with it Burdened with a problem they did not create Local Authority and Government should set better example
Community organisations Community groups identified a number of themes and specific initiatives Climate change not a key focus but recognised as a cross cutting theme
What community organisations want Expectations of statutory organisations Honesty and transparency including regular updates Recognition of their role in delivering several statutory organisational objectives Acceptance of Community Empowerment Act responsibilities (unlocking opportunities to improve/maintain environment) Working together Develop a networked local food economy Working together to deliver training, volunteering and work opportunities To establish north Glasgow as the place to go for expertise on green, sustainable matters
Institutional engagement Identified initiatives planned through GCC, CPP and Scottish Canals that have the most scope to work collaboratively with the community organisations Exploring City Deal opportunities Exploring internal collaborations Knowledge sharing North Glasgow Integrated water management plan /links with Scottish Canals Hamiltonhill Local Nature Reserve/Clay pits design ongoing Possilpark Surface Water management plan Integral to Thriving Places process Active travel Cycling village Trim trail Active Travel Strategy Cycle Routes 3million investment Developing a watersports theme along the canal Creating footbridges at regular intervals to provide 40 minute loops for walkers Local tourism and business generation Big Lunch Possible garden/park festival City Deal major focus on employability Education and training? Canals College Activate Health and Safety First Aid Food preparation Network of urban growing Mobile community garden and allotments Development of allotments in Ruchill and looking to develop further allotments in Possilpark on vacant and derelict land Local cultural heritage Port Dundas cultural hub Land Arts Generator initiative New community uses for the Millennium Space and Bandstand Development of a Creative Canal Quarter Development of a new Cultural Hub in Possil Shared voice with City Property, GCC and others Local Delivery Groups Community Council Millenium Centre Thriving Places Health improvement Concrete gardens Community food network Summer programme provided food daily to residents of Possilpark during holiday period to ensure local children had access to food Natural environment Using wildflower meadows as a treatment for vacant and derelict sites Increasing integration and community links Possilpark Thriving places group has developed an action plan that connects community, partners and services Community Connector developing community links and engaging with local people Resource sharing Certain local initiatives dependent on partnership working Participatory Budgeting
Community and institutional collaboration Knowledge sharing Network of urban growing Community food network Active travel Local tourism and business generation? Local cultural heritage Shared voice with City Property, GCC and others Natural environment Increasing integration and community links December workshop to define next steps Endeavour to ensure alignment with climate resilience Education and training Health improvement Resource sharing
Some key messages Building resilience in the face of climate change requires working within community interests and institutional capacity Climate change cannot be addressed in isolation from other activities Meaningful engagement is time consuming, unpredictable and needs flexibility Importance of brokering across community groups to find shared priorities Importance of brokering between communities and institutions to optimise working together
Thank you for listening Dr. Russell Jones Glasgow Centre for Population Health russell.jones.2@glasgow.ac.uk www.gcph.co.uk